This morning the authorities of the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security (IESS), convened a press conference to clarify the issue regarding whether if the affiliation for workers without subordination relationship is mandatory or not. The chairman, Fernando Cordero, said the decision to join or not, belongs to the worker.

The concern of the self-employed (professionals in private practice, taxi drivers, vendors, etc.) came after some days ago the national director of IESS assurance, Raul Lopez explained that the measure is mandatory and even talked of fines and penalties for the one who did not affiliate.

Regarding the statements made by Raul Lopez about obligatoriness, Cordero said it was a mistake of the officer and pointed out that while the officer continues to work in the institute, they are discussing a possible dismissal.

On next Monday the instructions detailing how the voluntary membership for workers who have no relationship of dependency issue is carried out, will come out.